DBT40 Honoree: Amanda Carl of IBM

Photo by Luigi Ciuffetelli

AGE: 30
TITLE: Communications Lead, Corporate Communications
COMPANY: IBM
CITY: Wilmington

What the nominator said: “While working as a senior account executive at (Philadelphia-based advertising firm) Tierney, Amanda Carl earned her master’s degree in international marketing from St. Joseph’s.  Over the past five years, she has been a rising star at IBM and advanced the mission of the American Lung Association in Delaware in a significant way.”

Best career advice you ever got: IBM CEO Ginni Rometty once said, “Growth and comfort do not coexist.” I constantly remind myself of these words, whenever I consider new opportunities or challenges. When all else fails, a colleague of mine always reminds me to “fake it till you make it!”

Two words that best describe you: Tenacious and honest.

Work/life balance technique you recommend: It’s all about setting boundaries. I do my best work when I’m happier, and that means making time for the things that make me happy. For me, that’s getting to the gym and spending time with family, friends and my dog, Lincoln. I do subscribe to the work hard/play hard mentality, but at the same time, you have to make sure you take care of yourself.

If you were in charge of Delaware: As a nod to the American Lung Association, the organization that nominated me for this award, I would make lung cancer screenings available to anyone, regardless of age or smoking history. Less than half of those diagnosed with lung cancer will be alive one year later – early detection is key to changing such a devastating outcome.